All I Have Left

Chapter Nineteen

The next day I'm sitting in Transfiguration. My books open to the page we're on and I'm sitting there, head in my hand. Hermione's sitting next to me, on my right, answering every question Professor McGonagall asks. I would've been paying attention, but all I could think about was what happened last night. It freaked me out, and it obviously freaked Harry out too.

Suddenly, in front of me appears a lizard. I take it off my book and set it gently back onto my desk, putting the book in my bag. I pet the tail of the tiny lizard, cooing at how cute it is.

"Today, we will be turning animals into water goblets." Professor McGonagall announces. I look up at the front of the class and see McGonagall tap the bird in front of her three times. Then, it slowly transforms into a water goblet. Students gasp in awe, and I just continue petting the lizard in front of me.

"Now, who would like to go first? Miss Knight, how about you give it a go. You've been unusually quiet all class..." McGonagall says, taking me by surprise. I nod in agreement and point my wand at the lizard. I tap it three times as it slowly transforms into a water goblet. McGonagall congratulates me and turns to the next student.

"Who wants to go next? Ah, how about Mr. Weasley." She says. Ronald nervously takes out his wand and taps the rat in front of him three times. It slowly transforms into an unusual water goblet. It has a tail and rats fur on it, but it's in the form of a water goblet. The class emits a small laughter.

"You must replace that wand, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall orders. Ronald nods sheepishly and puts his wand back into his robe pocket. Hermione then raises her hand. McGonagall looks at her and nods.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asks. Hermione lowers her hand and folds her hands in front of her.

"I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets, Professor?" She asks. The classroom falls into an unbearable silence, and then McGonagall shakes her head.

"My subject is Transfiguration, Miss Granger." McGonagall responds. Hermione nods her head, but is determined.

"Yes, Professor. But there seems to be very little written about the Chamber of Secrets. For those of us with personal interest in the subject, that is..." Hermione pauses for a moment, searching for the right word. "...disturbing."

McGonagall looks at her for a moment nervously. I wanted to know more about the subject, as I sent Father a letter asking him about it but there has been no response. I look around the class to see that everyone, even Malfoy, is staring at McGonagall expectedly. She considers Hermione's question for a few moments before finally nodding.

"Very well, then. You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age..." She stops for a moment before continuing. "... Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Three of the founders co-existed quite harmoniously. One did not."

"Three guesses who?" Ronald jokes, making me crack a smile.

"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted into Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all magic families. In other words, the Purebloods. Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school." McGonagall says, taking a deep breath in before continuing.

"According to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Shortly before departing, he sealed it until that time when his true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to keep open the Chamber of Secrets and unleash the horror within, and by doing so, purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic."